But even in these modern homes that don’t look very traditional from the outside, you can still see many typical features of the traditional Japanese houses when you go inside and know what to look for! Spaces in a Traditional Japanese House Most regular people in Japan nowadays live in modern housing though, which often means that they live in a simple prefab house or an apartment. Nowadays, there are still preserved minka in existence, some of the most famous ones are in Shirakawago and the Kiso Valley. Minimalism, tranquility, and the incorporation of natural elements in the home’s living space and view are examples of features that are basic principles in Japanese architecture. While individual styles varied per region, there were a few characteristics that kept coming back in a minka’s architecture. Other articles you might be interested inĪ traditional Japanese house is called a ‘minka’ (民家), which literally means ‘house of the people’ as this was a house that was inhabited by people of the old middle classes: farmers, artisans, and merchants.Other Unique Features of Japanese Architecture.Furniture in a Traditional Japanese House.What is a traditional Japanese house like, and what are their unique features? Let’s learn more about what you can expect to see in Japan’s long-established home styles! This also applies to Japan, and traditional Japanese houses now inspire (interior) architects from all over the world with their ingenuity and beauty. Learning more about a country’s traditional dwellings teaches you a lot about how people used to live and sometimes still live there. The way traditional houses look in a specific area in the world can often tell us a lot about what is considered important in that culture.

When you click through and make a purchase we may receive some commission, at no extra cost to you. This post may contain some affiliate links. She loves (Japanese) food, and to work that all off she goes diving, snorkeling, cycling, or hiking. She jumped into the niche of Dutch tour guiding in Tokyo and Kamakura in 2015 and occasionally writes articles about all the great sights and activities Japan has to offer. Stefanie Akkerman moved from the Netherlands to Japan in 2013 with her Japanese husband and son.

Japanese style minimalist house